Red mulberry (Morus rubra) recovery strategy: chapter 9
9. Measuring Progress
Performance measures for evaluating the success in achieving the Red Mulberry population and distribution objectives in five years are as follows:
- Ten core populations and 11 non-core populations of Red Mulberry can be found distributed in two metapopulations (Essex County/Municipality of Chatham-Kent, including Point Pelee National Park and Pelee, Middle, and East Sister Islands, and Hamilton/Burlington/Niagara).
- The genetic composition and purity of trees across the Canadian range is known such that the population and distribution objectives can be revised if necessary (e.g. should trees formerly identified as Red Mulberry be determined to be hybrids or M. murrayana).
- The number of individual Red Mulberry trees of all age classes (approximately 322) has not declined, unless genetic studies determined that trees formerly believed to be Red Mulberry are in fact M. murrayana or hybrids with White Mulberry. Should genetic research determine that there are fewer pure Red Mulberry trees in Canada than previously thought, the target number of trees to be maintained will be lowered based on the findings.
- Habitat suitability has been maintained (Woodland, Forest, and Talus ELC community classes still exist) in areas of critical habitat.